A publication from the
St Vincent de Paul Society
NSW/ACT
Circulation 18,000

World Youth Day

World youth make their way to Sydney

Residents at Risk
Vinnies NSW launches a major social justice research report

Contents
3

President’s Message

Dear Sir,

4

News

8

Encounter India

I am writing to you about your Night Patrol Service in the
city that I have enjoyed over the last 3 years. I am moving
back to Melbourne permanently but cannot go without
giving high praise to one particular group that comes out to
us each month. That group is from St Aloysius College and
although other groups are good to us, this group has always
been outstanding.

10

Breaking the Cycle Conference

12

White Paper on Homelessness

13

Mate Helping Mate DVD Launch

14

Residents at Risk

18

Blind Faith

20

Events

21

Thank you John O’Neill

22

World Youth Day

23

Youth

24

Caught in the space between
shifting destinies

26

Engineer of Charity, the Charles
O’Neill book launch

28

Growing Works - Volunteers

30

Lewisham site - building update

Vision is produced by Community and Corporate Relations,
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, and is distributed free of charge
throughout the Society to Catholic parishes, and schools and
relevant entities in New South Wales and the ACT.
Editor: Rachel Irvine

The way and manner in which the boys from this school
mingled and talked with us was outstanding.
Their main co-ordinator, Mike, a walking saint in my
opinion, and his assistant Gale were absolute standouts.
When I mentioned to Mike I was sending a letter to the
school about him, he asked me to promise not to, or if I
did, not to mention him. This is why I have sent this letter
to you.
I would respectfully request you to send a copy of this letter
to St Aloysius on my behalf as I think they all should be
acknowledged.
God bless and thank you all.
David
Dear President,

Distribution: Ozanam Industries

I am a member of the Circle of Hope, and I am pleased to
donate to your Society, my humble art work. I have taken
the time to make these sculptures, as I totally approve of the
excellent, untiring, and inspirational work conducted in a
manner, second to none, by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The beginning of 2008 has
brought many new and exciting
developments at the NSW
Trustees Council. From the
Residents at Risk report to the
exciting election of a new State
President, the Society continues
to grow and flourish because
of dedicated service by our Vincentian brothers and
sisters.
The Residents at Risk report, the Society’s first
major social justice paper for 2008, highlights the
complexity of a range of issues concerning housing
affordability and homelessness. As you will read in
the report extract published in this edition of Vision,
this is a pressing issue and one that demands the full
attention of Society members.
Recent months have seen a heightened focus on
mental health issues. Recognising that mental illness
rarely occurs in isolation from a range of other
personal and social factors; the National ‘Care of
the Mentally Ill Committee’ convened the Breaking
the Cycle Conference in Sydney. Delegates from across

Editor’s Note: Please see page 6 for further information on this story.

This social engagement is exemplified through the
Mary McKillop Outreach Program. The startling
results, demonstrated an interview with Mark, a
client of the Mary McKillop Outreach, is that social
engagement is crucial in assisting people living with a
mental illness to overcome their difficulties.
Compeer also has reason to celebrate as the program
was the State winner of the NAB Volunteering
Awards for 2007. Congratulations to all involved in
such an inspiring program.
We anticipate that you will enjoy this edition of
Vision and wish you all the very best for an exciting
year ahead.
Go with God,
Raymond James
Acting State President, NSW Trustees Council

New State Council President Elected
On Saturday the 16th of
February, the St Vincent
de Paul Society elected
its first female president
in its 127 year history. In
a single ballot, Barbara
Ryan, a member of
the Society since 1994,
became its President.
Mrs. Ryan, started her
vocation with the
St Vincent de Paul Society through volunteering in
the clothing pool at the Matthew Talbot Hostel, and
was most recently the President of Matthew Talbot
Homeless Services.
Mrs. Barbara Ryan

Australia attended the two-day seminar to listen
to experts from the Society and across the social
services sector raise issues for discussion, whilst
challenging current approaches to homelessness and
mental illness.

Her involvement with the Society includes
volunteering at the Matthew Talbot Hostel, serving
on the Frederick House Committee, member of the
State Council Aged Care Board, and home visitation
as a member of the Mosman Conference.
Mrs. Ryan was elected on a platform of renewing the
Society through four basic goals; they include:
- enhanced spiritual development of all members
- inclusive two-way communication across the
Society
- revision of State Council purpose, processes,
projects committees and staff
- active development of the Society’s public profile
The Society looks forward to the future with Barbara
Ryan as its President.

The 10th anniversary of the highly successful
Campbelltown Animation project was celebrated
on 17 October in front of a 80-strong crowd at
University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown.

Vinnies mural brings
colour to the community

Youth Reach fundraiser
scores a hole-in-one

Terry Malouney and Dennis O’Neill decided their
Centre, Wollongong Warehouse, needed a lift. The
two combined their artistic ability and created a
mural that depicts the good works of the Society.

The 3rd Matrix Planning Solutions Annual Charity
Golf Day in support of the Society’s Youth Reach
program in Dee Why was held in October.

While volunteering with the Wollongong
Conference, these two gentlemen have received
many congratulations on the mural and some
admirers hoping to purchase it.
“It’s not for sale,” Dennis says, “but visitors to the
Wollongong Warehouse are most welcome.”
Visit the mural on Monday to Friday 9am-4pm or
Saturday 9am-noon.

4

Autumn 2008

Manly Golf Club hosted Peter Phelps and Georgi
Coward along with other golfers, to enjoy a day and
night of on-course competitions, a dinner, auctions
and golf presentations, to raise funds for at-risk
youth from 13 - 24 years of age.
In 2006/07, Youth Reach experienced a thirtyfour per cent increase in youth requiring assistance,
compared to the previous year.
For information on Youth Reach, please contact
Harriet on (02) 9971 4358.

Julie Foreman, project co-ordinator said at the
event that, “The process of animation is based
on the power of ordinary people to effect change
in themselves and in their communities. The
Animation Project, while recognising the importance
of the economic dimension of poverty, believe that
groundbreaking changes occur when those who are
affected by poverty are listened to with the heart
rather than the head.”
Through Animation, over 150 program participants
in four public housing estates have undertaken
advocacy and community projects addressing
housing, infrastructure and transport issues.
Projects have included a community Laundromat
and Cafe in Claymore, a community mural, a
performance expo, festivals, two books and two
short films.
For further information, please contact Julie
Foreman by email: julie@svdpwgong.org.au,
phone: (02) 4627 9018.

Compeer Sydney wins
state NAB Volunteer
Awards
Compeer Sydney, the Society’s mental health
friendship program was recently awarded the State
Winner of the NAB Volunteer Awards for 2007.
The Award was given in recognition
of outstanding achievement
in demonstrating best practice
volunteering in the not-for-profit
sector.
Tricia Meers, Compeer Coordinator, noted the
wonderful honour bestowed on Compeer when
she accepted the $10,000 cheque from Tony Rizzo,
Regional Executive of NAB Inner West, on behalf
of the Society.
Tricia paid tribute to the continuing strong support
of Compeer’s dedicated and professional volunteers
and staff as major factors in the continued growth
and success of the program.
Since 1995, Compeer, an international program,
has grown from the original Lewisham program to
eleven programs throughout NSW, Victoria and SA.
The donation will be used to further develop the
three Compeer programs in Sydney.

Vision

5

News

Professionals have deemed Michael’s work, “first
class.”
Each piece takes at least 3-4 days of spare time.
Harrison works out of both his home’s carport and
a tool shed. Each sculpture’s pieces are laid out,
braised together, hammered into place and edges
ground smooth before the painting process begins.
After Michael donated the work to the Society in
December, it was taken to Matthew Talbot Homeless
Services where it will remain on display.

Generous schools and
business bring joy to
those less fortunate

Kamahl’s latest CD Faith of our Fathers which he has
so kindly donated the proceeds of to the Society.

Sculptor Michael Harrison of Marayong and the Circle
of Hope sculpture that he produced and donated to the
Society.

Member finds inspiration
in Society’s good works
Inspired by the Society’s “excellent, untiring, &
inspirational work,” sculptor Michael Harrison began
work on what he calls, “my humble art work.”
Michael, who taught metalwork in the Navy, has
been a sculptor for many years. However, he only
started this type of metal sculpture about 10 years
ago. Made from the scrap pieces from machines that
punch holes into sheet metal, Harrison donates the
sculptures to charities as well as to friends and family
who may be sick or going through a hard time.
“None of my works are copied, they are all one-offs,
originals,” says Michael who has been a member
of the Circle of Hope donor club for many years.

6

Autumn 2008

Kamahl with Bishop Cremin at the Circle of Hope morning
tea to launch his latest CD, Faith of our Fathers.

Christmas box from advertising agency Clemenger.

At Christmas time, many schools and businesses
show their support by collecting goods such as
quality toys, clothes, books, toiletries and nonperishable food items for hampers to be given to the
people the Society assists. These groups put a lot
of energy, enthusiasm and creativity into collecting
hampers that are then donated to Vinnies members
who bring some Christmas joy to people who need
it most. Schools and business recognise that simple
pleasures such as receiving small gifts and goods are
something they often take for granted. These groups
make an effort to share some happiness with those
less fortunate. Thank you.

Faith of our Fathers marks a significant milestone
in the 40th year of Kamahl’s illustrious recording
career. Kamahl is delighted that his latest release will
assist people in every area of need.

Continuing his long history of support of the St
Vincent de Paul Society, Kamahl kindly donated
album profits to the Society’s Christmas Appeal.

At the album launch, John Picot, the Society’s NSW
CEO said, “Kamahl has been a strong advocator
and supporter of the Society for many years. It is
our honour to be associated with what Kamahl
considers some of his best work. His passion for
helping those in need has been once again illustrated
with his kind offer to donate proceeds from the sale
of the CD. We thank Kamahl and the Catholic Weekly
for this great initiative that will bring these familiar
old favourites into many homes, and also support the
Society’s good works for the poor and disadvantaged
in the community.”

Faith of our Fathers was produced in conjunction with
the Catholic Weekly and features a collection of twenty
traditional and uplifting hymns including; Ave Maria,
Faith of Our Fathers, Sweet Sacrament Devine, On Eagles’
Wings and Amazing Grace.

Faith of Our Fathers is available from Vinnies Centres
throughout NSW/ACT for $16, or from The
Catholic Weekly on (02) 9390 5400 or
www.catholicgiftshop.com.au for $18 (including
postage and packaging). v

Iconic international entertainer, Kamahl unveiled
his new album, Faith of our Fathers at the St Vincent
de Paul Society’s regular Circle of Hope supporters’
morning tea in December 2007. Officially launched
by Bishop David Cremin, Kamahl gave lucky
attendees a private performance and signed copies
of his latest CD.

Vision

7

International

Encounter

INDIA

To sit with someone and see joy in their eyes at your
presence, knowing all the while, that they are dying,
is devastating.
The heart-breaking situation was counter-balanced
by seeing the dignity of these people restored in the
compassionate service of the Sisters and volunteers,
caring for and sharing this time with them.
Amidst the great need that exists in this country of
1.2 billion, where many are at or below the poverty
line, is real hope. Hope is inspired by the kindness
and spirit of our fellow brothers and sisters in
India. Overburdened with the enormity of need,
Vincentians continue to serve with great love.
For twelve days we immersed ourselves in Indian
culture and Vincentian works that spanned the east
coast, from Kolkata to Chennai.

Encounter India is part of National Council’s lead
up to World Youth Day 2008.
World Youth Day brings together young Catholics
from across the globe. In the same respect, this
encounter brought together Vincentians young and
old, united as members of an international family.
By Alicia Webster,
Broken Bay Diocese
Youth Representative
On September 19, six Vincentians embarked on a
unique journey to India.
The group: Jess Logan, Ky Chow and Jemima
Johnson from Sydney Archdiocese, Matthew
Kirkham and our chief, Kevin Walsh, from Lismore
Diocese and myself, Alicia Webster.

8

Our main goal was to experience the abject poverty
that exists in India, while learning about the many
projects working to defeat that poverty. This trip
was an opportunity to witness first-hand the work of
St Vincent de Paul Society conferences in India and
to develop relationships with our twins.
We took on our most challenging destination first, to
Kolkata. Kolkata is a city of twenty million people the same population as Australia.

Of the six, only our leader Kevin (State Overseas
Partnerships and Development Committee, Chair)
had been to India before.

On our first day, we visited the tomb of Mother
Theresa. It was wonderful to be in the home of this
humble woman - one who believed passionately in
social justice and being one with the poor.

This was sure to be one eye-opening experience,
especially for our youngest member, Matthew, who
was making his maiden voyage overseas.

We visited several of Mother’s homes including one
for abandoned girls and another for the destitute and
dying. This was the most challenging visit I faced.

Autumn 2008

About two hours out of Kolkata we visited the rural
village of Guma, visiting adopted families in their
homes. It was heart-warming to see that one of our
core works here in Australia, home visitation, was
also alive and well in India. We were
also able to meet a young university
student benefiting from the Assist-aStudent program.

the story of this community, in their words, from
their heart, was sad. However, it was great to see the
hands-on work of the Society, rebuilding homes and
indeed the community.
It was in our Chennai-leg of the trip that we were
joined by the President of Indian National Council,
Joseph Pandian. A dedicated Vincentian with a big
heart and a cheerful laugh, he brings a smile to the
faces of all who encounter him.
Meeting fellow Vincentians throughout the trip and
learning about their challenges and achievements
made me extremely proud to be a part of the Society.
I don’t think I will ever stop realising the value of
this encounter. I’m sure that as time goes on and I
reflect more on my experience, it will have an even
more profound impact.
What is certain is that our Vincentian journey
continues still. It was a unanimous feeling amongst
all the participants that we were filled with a renewed
enthusiasm for the Society and its good works.

To sit with someone and see joy in their eyes at
your presence, knowing all the while, that they
are dying, is devastating.

Jeevan Jyoti, (translated ‘Light
Life’) is an Indian National Council
funded work established in Baripada. It is a
home for females aged 6-60, living with profound
deformities and other disabilities. Presently, the
hard-working nuns who run the facility are caring
for 42 women and girls. These women are filled
with a joy so pure it was infectious. As the name
translates, the aim is to bring light to the lives of
these women and young girls.

We then visited Surada, a beautiful village in the
Orissa region that is lush green with rolling hills and
sprawling rice paddies. It was here that we joined
in the distribution of food and clothing, and sent
kids into frenzied excitement over our funny looks,
language and accents.
Once in Chennai, we travelled to the coastal village
of Pulicat, devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Hearing

We feel privileged to have taken our service across
the seas and to have experienced poverty at its most
fundamental level.
On behalf of all the participants, I extend our
sincere appreciation to NSW Trustees Council for
their support of this program. I also thank those
from Broken Bay Diocese and beyond who’ve been
keeping us in their prayers whilst we were away.
The wise Archbishop Emeritus of Kolkata, Henry
D’Souza told us, “Where the road ends, the real
India begins.” I feel I journeyed beyond the streets,
to the heart of India - it’s people.
For more information on becoming a Youth
Vincentian contact Jessica Pollard on
(02) 9560 8666. v

Vision

9

Homelessness
When asked what needs to be done to break the cycle of homelessness and mental illness, Rhonda Gregory of the
Salvation Army invoked the simple yet extraordinarily powerful refrain of a well-known Burt Bacharach and
Hal David song: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”

Breaking the Cycle
Conference 2007

Gregory was one of many innovative and inspiring
participants in the National Council of St Vincent de
Paul Society’s Breaking the Cycle Conference (Oct. 18-19,
Sydney); a meeting of minds designed to consolidate,
evaluate and invigorate current approaches to the
dual challenge of homelessness and mental illness.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Dr Guy Johnson,
set the tone for the two-day gathering, urging the
220 delegates assembled to reconsider their approach
to homelessness and mental illness. Dr Johnson was
critical of the increasing trend of rationalising our
response to the issues; a trend, he explained, that is
often expressed by dehumanising and sometimes
completely unfounded statistics. While he cited
media portrayals of homelessness and mental illness
as an example, he did not discount the prevalence of
this attitude among some policy makers, researchers
and elements of the social service sector in general.
Dr Johnson pointed to a newspaper headline stating
that “80 per cent of homeless people have a mental

one in five had mental health problems prior to
entering the homeless population. While anxiety
and psychological trauma periodically affect nearly
everyone experiencing homelessness, Dr Johnson’s
findings thoroughly dispelled the
commonly held belief that mental
health problems are the leading
trigger for homelessness.

“We must”, argued Professor Disney, “focus
on rent and not the upper end of the market.”
illness”. Not only is this figure utterly incorrect,
he argued, but it also perpetuates damaging and
misleading stereotypes of homelessness, and
more importantly, homeless people. Dr Johnson
comprehensively redressed this error.
Contrary to sensationalist headlines, the most
recent research, he explained, reveals that 31 per
cent of homeless people have a mental health
problem. Breaking this figure down further, Dr
Johnson pointed out that of those 31 per cent, only

10 Autumn 2008

Dr Johnson’s perspective may indeed have merit, but
why quibble about statistics? Surely helping people
is the central issue? Again, Dr Johnson thoroughly
addressed these questions with the following
practical observation: “when research is incorrect,
services are misdirected.”
Having offered a series of insightful reassessments
of the relationship between homelessness and
mental health, Dr Johnson went on to correct the
ledger and identify three stages typical to the process

of becoming homeless, involving: firstly, changing
relationships with the labour and housing market;
secondly, changes to existing social networks; and,
thirdly, loss of family support. These areas, explained
Dr Johnson, are where the bulk of targeted
preventative measures should be directed.
Dr Johnson’s sentiments were echoed throughout
the conference by a range of inspired speakers who,
in various positive ways, called for a more humane
and spiritually-attuned response to the dual crisis of
homelessness and mental illness, a response designed
to “bring back the face of people who have been
traumatised.”
Professor Julian Disney, a leading social services
sector researcher, joined in the call for a new
approach. Discussing housing affordability, Professor
Disney reminded us that the issue is “not just about
the cost of housing, it also concerns the flow-on
effects of these cost pressures.” He went on to
criticise the manner in which current discussion of
housing affordability has descended into a narrowly
focused drive to gain political mileage through
policies designed only aid first home buyers. “We
must”, argued Professor Disney, “focus on rent and
not the upper end of the market.”

journey he and the choir members experienced in
finding a collective voice to faithfully reflect the spirit
of their individual stories.
In closing the conference, St Vincent de Paul Society
National CEO, Dr John Falzon encapsulated the
tone of the event with his emphatic declaration
of the political dimension of homelessness – a
declaration that initially surprised some of those
assembled. Dr Falzon posed the contentious
question: “Is the St Vincent de Paul Society
political?” “Yes!” he stated. “Like Blessed Frederic
Ozanam, we speak out when we see injustice,” in
solidarity with the poorest of the poor. Raising the
issue of bias – a somewhat controversial issue during
an election campaign – Dr Falzon again put the
Society’s ethos to the forefront of the discussion.
“Are we partisan?” he asked. “Absolutely”, he
exclaimed. “We are on the side of the poor!”
The depth and complexity of the issues discussed at
the Breaking the Cycle Conference reiterated the gravity

Dr John Falzon and
Professor Julian
Disney. Professor
Disney discussed
housing affordability
saying, “We must
focus on rent and not
the upper end of the
market.”

Professor Disney stressed, social service entities
with experience in low-cost housing management
must play a part. “There is a big role for religious
organisations – who used to be involved in aged care
– to become involved as non-profit managers,” urged
Professor Disney. “They have housing experience.”

“31 per cent of homeless people have a mental health problem.”
Other speakers included Tim Marchant and
Associate Professor Peter Howard who presented an
animated discussion on the many positives associated
with the Clemente-Catalyst program – a homeless
persons’ humanities education initiative the St
Vincent de Paul Society established in cooperation
with other agencies.
Jonathan Welch, the Creative Director of the
homeless persons’ ensemble, The Choir of Hard
Knocks, shared the wonderful transformative

and immense scope of the crisis of homelessness
and mental illness. The vibrancy and compassion
expressed by conference participants confirmed
that faith and spirit abounds in the hearts of those
committed to seeking out and relentlessly pursuing
better paths towards breaking the cycle.
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, thoroughly
commends and congratulates all who contributed
to the success of this innovative conference and we
look forward to future endeavours of this nature. v

Vision

11

Homelessness

Rural Taskforce
every night. We’re not like
that. Australia is not like
that and we intend to make
a difference.”

White paper
features homelessness
By Dr Andy Marks

The first white paper commissioned by a newly
elected government is a highly anticipated event.
A white paper is the vital beginning of the policy
development process, inviting extensive analysis
and consultation with the community. A new
government’s first white paper is an indication
of a broader agenda, revealing much about its
priorities, its vision and the manner in which it
intends to govern. History has shown that Australian
governments traditionally make issues surrounding
finance, defence, or foreign affairs the first order of
the day. Not so new Labour government.
With his announcement that the Government’s first
white paper will address the issue of homelessness,
Prime Minister Rudd resolutely broke with tradition.
“It is dead wrong”, he said, “that on any given night,
some 14,000 people are sleeping rough. We should
not be allowing this to happen.”
On the occasion of the Society’s appeal launch in
Canberra, the Prime Minister detailed the crux of
the moral dilemma he, like all Australians, can no
longer ignore. “I don’t want to live in a country
where we simply discard people. I don’t want to
live in a country where, like many I visit around the
world, it’s acceptable for people to be sleeping rough

12 Autumn 2008

It is significant that this
announcement coincided
with the launch of the
Society in ACT’s door
knock appeal. The
priorities the Prime
Minister discussed are
long held Vincentian
principles. The Prime
Minister’s declaration of
his Government’s plans at this St Vincent de Paul
Society event is an acknowledgement of concurrent
aims. The announcement of the white paper fulfils
the Government’s election campaign pledge of $150
million address the challenge of providing adequate
levels of crisis accommodation.
“It’s not something you just throw bits and pieces
at”, said the Prime Minister. “You’ve actually got to
come up with an integrated solution to the overall
challenge of homelessness.”
Importantly, as well as listening to people, such as
Vincentians working at the grass roots level, the
Prime Minister has been listening first hand to the
stories of homeless people, ensuring that they are
not the powerless subjects of policy but rather they
are the integral part of the process.
The St Vincent de Paul Society warmly applauds
the Government’s commitment to work towards
meaningfully addressing the crisis of homelessness.
Equally encouraging is the Coalition’s support of
the white paper. Speaking in response to the Prime
Minister’s announcement, Dr Brendan Nelson
commented, “it is a paradox of Australian society
that so many people are homeless while the country
is going so well.” Dr. Nelson added.
The St Vincent de Paul Society will continue to work
closely with the Government in the development
of policy and funding responses to the crisis of
homelessness. v

Mate Helping Mate DVD Launch
Inspired by the experience of John Harper, a farmer
who suffered acute unexplained physical pain before
visiting his GP only to find that he was “as fit as a
mallee bull,” the Mate Helping Mate DVD focuses on
alleviating social isolation and depression caused by
the drought and recent floods.
John, middle above, realised his pain was severe
mental anguish, and became aware of the impact
the drought was having on friends and neighbours.
He decided to: “Load up a bus with some mates
and have a night out.” News of the night’s success
quickly travelled through the district.
Soon, members of the Rural Taskforce were
meeting with John to convert his simple program
into a resource for all rural communities in New
South Wales. With the assistance of the local Area
Health Service and the Department of Primary
Industries all involved hoped John’s idea of a night
out could provide some relief for rural farmers.
Graeme Fear, the Society’s Care of
the Mentally Ill Coordinator, launched
the DVD to a crowd of 300 in
Stockinbingal with a reading from
Murray Hearten’s poem of a father
penning a letter to his struggling farmer
son.
Local Stockinbingal poet, Wendi Guy,
echoed Hearten’s sentiments in her
observation that “Depression is where
negative thoughts defeat all positive thoughts.”

Ben Harper, pictured far right, former local AFL star
who became a paraplegic after a bucks night gone
wrong, emphasised in his speech the importance of
family and friends’ support to deal with depression
as he recovered from his injuries.
Bill Thompson, rural solicitor and MC for the
launch, commented that in his job, he comes
across many families dealing with never-ending
drought-induced stress. Bill complimented the Rural
Taskforce for coming out to the communities and
asking them what they needed, saying “What we
need is moral support and empathy, not sympathy.”
Graeme Fear said of the initiative, “This is real
grassroots, self-help stuff.” He commented the
Society’s involvement “was about letting people
know about it.”
Clearly, Mate Helping Mate is an outstanding example
of what people in rural Australia can do to help
themselves; echoing John’s seemingly simple solution
to talk to his friends. v

For a copy of the DVD, please contact Graeme Fear on
(02) 9568 0279 or visit www.vinnies.org.au.

Vision

13

Social Justice
While conference members
monitor Ricky’s situation, he
strives to remain independent.
As he puts it, he is “not one
to ask for help”. Although he
has made progress, Ricky still
struggles with self-esteem issues.
Conference president, Dale tells
how Ricky is reluctant to invite
family members to visit him
in the caravan park as he feels
that he has “nothing to offer
anybody.”
Ricky’s story is one of many
included in the Society’s NSW
Social Justice research report,
Residents at Risk. The report,
produced by Society researcher
Dr Andy Marks, examines the
predicament of
disadvantaged
caravan park
residents in
selected locations
across the
state. Primarily drawing on
interviews with Society members
conducting regular visitation
with residents, the report also
incorporates conversations with
residents, a special case study,
and statistical analysis to, firstly,
build an account of marginalised
caravan park residency and
associated challenges; and
secondly, present a series of
informed recommendations.

At first glance, the report’s subject matter may
provoke a series of questions. Why conduct research
on caravan parks? Aren’t they holiday destinations?
It is indeed the case that for many people, caravan
parks are a place to spend treasured holiday time
with loved ones. As one holiday maker remarked in
response to the threatened closure of a much loved
park by developers, “It’s just part of the Aussie
tradition to spend your holidays at a caravan park
down on the coast.” For others, however, caravan
parks are associated with an entirely different level
of existence.
Surely it is not “part of the Aussie tradition” to leave
extraordinarily disadvantaged men, women, children
and families with no option but to reside indefinitely
in caravan parks across NSW, one step away from
homelessness. For them, the threat of park closure is
but one of many pressing, often desperate, concerns
impacting on virtually every facet of their existence.

For an increasing number of people, caravan
parks are a form of stop-gap housing – an
improvised form of crisis accommodation...
These people are not spending their holidays in
a caravan park, nor are they residing in parks as a
result of, what is often called, a lifestyle choice. For
an increasing number of people, caravan parks are a
form of stop-gap housing – an improvised form of
crisis accommodation with none of the network of
support services considered basic requirements for
recognised forms of crisis accommodation.
With affordable housing at record lows, and social
housing utterly failing to meet demand, an increasing
amount of people are turning to caravan parks
as a ‘last resort’ form of housing. Many people
are unable to secure even this type of inadequate

Residents at Risk

14 Autumn 2008

Vision

15

Social Justice
accommodation as the number of parks continues
to drastically decline and site rents increase at a rapid
rate. The number of caravan parks in the Sydney
region alone has more than halved in the last seven
years from 164 establishments in 2000 to 74 in 2007,
and many regional areas have experienced similarly
marked declines in supply. One Western Sydney
caravan park runs at full-capacity, with some people
waiting to secure a site resorting to sleeping in their
cars alongside a creek bordering the park.

extremely poor. In one regional park, Shelly lives
with her mother and her three young children in a
secondhand canvass tent. At another park, Hayley,
a single mother in her mid-20s, has only $50 a
fortnight to live on after paying the rent.
Violence is an ever present threat in the majority
of caravan parks studied. Reports of violence
towards women and children are common. Many
residents, particularly those with children, consider

For most people, what was initially intended as a temporary or transitional
housing option - just until they ‘get back on their feet’ - turns into a
long-term cycle of deprivation and marginalisation...
For most people, what was initially intended as a
temporary or transitional housing option - just until
they ‘get back on their feet’ - turns into a long-term
cycle of deprivation and marginalisation, as the

means to make choices and secure better housing
options evaporates.
The living conditions reported across the caravan
parks comprising the report’s case studies and
‘conversations’ ranged from inadequate to

16 Autumn 2008

their environment to be particularly dangerous;
despair among these groups is understandably high
and avenues of protection and recourse are either
ineffective or non-existent.
Parks are
a common
form of
accommodation
for women
fleeing domestic
violence. The
threatening
and abusive
behaviour
prevalent in
many parks
exacerbates
already fragile
levels of stress
and anxiety.
Against the
advice of
prisoner support
groups, many
parks act as
transitional housing for ex-prisoners. Coping
behaviours developed in prison are often transposed
to comparably brutalising park environments,
further complicating and heightening existing
patterns of violence and abuse. The fact that
children, families, the elderly and people with special

needs are forced to contend with these conditions is
utterly unacceptable.
Levels of substance abuse and addiction are
high in the majority of caravan parks studied.
Many people who enter parks as a form of ‘last
resort’ accommodation turn to drugs and alcohol
when their ability to make choices and extricate
themselves from this desperate existence disappears.
Without the financial means and social support
networks to exercise control over their lives, many
residents slide into damaging behavioural patterns,
further eroding already precariously low self-esteem
levels.

volunteer physician and community health nurse
at a mobile health clinic established ‘on-site’ at one
regional caravan park confirms that many residents
have poor levels of access to basic health care, and
virtually no access to specialist and ongoing care.
In addition to the characteristics of caravan park
residency detailed above, disadvantaged park
residents also report difficulties relating to their
tenancy. Most were unaware of their rights. Those
who had a rudimentary understanding of the
regulatory environment felt unable to exercise
those rights. A culture of fear pervades relations
between many tenants and park operators, inhibiting
the ability of many residents to secure fair and
reasonable outcomes.

Residents struggling with addiction issues typically
do so in a completely unsupported environment.
The broad findings emerging from Residents at Risk
In the absence of constructive assistance, the only
indicate that despite often common challenges
government response many of these residents
and triggers, the problems faced by disadvantaged
encounter comes in the form of crippling welfare
caravan park residents are manifest in many ways.
penalties. Punitive measures, such as Centrelink
payment breaches, in which welfare payments are
One factor that was, however, common to nearly
cut-off for eight weeks (in most cases without
all residents covered in this report was their often
financial case management) are incredibly
desperate feelings of loneliness. “They feel as though
damaging. Indeed, welfare penalties only add to
they’ve been abandoned, as if nobody cares about
the complex and ongoing array of challenges
disadvantaged caravan park residents
face. Most disturbingly, payment
The fact that children, families, the elderly and
breaches place already vulnerable
people with special needs are forced to contend
people at a heightened risk of primary
homelessness. St Vincent de Paul Society
with these conditions is utterly unacceptable.
members report that successful recovery
and rehabilitation from addiction is most commonly
them”, was a refrain closely approximated by nearly
achieved by people given the assistance required to
all Society members asked to surmise the general
secure better housing options.
feelings of the people they assisted.
Violence, abuse and addiction place additional
pressures on caravan park residents living with a
mental illness. While not sufficiently confirmed by
existing modes of data collection, Society members
anecdotally report the incidence of depression,
anxiety and other conditions such as schizophrenia
is markedly high among the disadvantaged residents
they serve.
Addiction and mental illness are often accompanied
by physical health problems. The sheer range and
volume of medical conditions addressed by a

Given the enormity of the problem, the report
closes with a series of detailed recommendations to
government and the social service sector. Residents at
Risk is a continuation of the Society’s longstanding
commitment to social justice, ensuring that those
least able to speak out for themselves have a voice.
The report is due for release at the Society’s Winter
Appeal Launch. v
Dr. Andy Marks: andy.marks@vinnies.org.au

Vision

17

Volunteers
Men’s Shed
volunteer Robert,
working with
Mark to weld a
wheelchair frame.

mentored by an older man who is very helpful. I talk
with him, he shows me what section to work with by
directing my hands and together we can drill, place
parts, and weld the wheels from the bikes to the
wheelchair frames.”
Bob Nelson, Manager of the Mary McKillop
Outreach, confirms that the, “children having
landmine-related disabilities are benefiting from
the wheelchairs. They are dismantled following
construction and packed into flat pack boxes for
transport overseas.”
Nelson explains that the Mary McKillop Outreach
provides its support services for approximately 130
residents from licensed residential centres. It also
offers intensive assistance to another 30 clients who
have high-support needs.

Blind Faith
Hope on wheels for kids in need

Mark now produces the work of a fine craftsman,
and has a CV of mechanical experience including
adjusting brakes, fixing nursing bed wheels, designing
and constructing wheelbarrow kits, and patching up
baby strollers for sale at Vinnies Centres.
Mark’s work developed his interest in: “Vintage
things. The things nobody wants anymore. I
particularly like the old valve radios and always keep
the little screws from any part I’ve worked on. You
never know when they’ll come in handy.”

Bob Nelson, Manager of the Mary McKillop Outreach in Lewisham, Sydney has eleven paid staff and over 100 volunteers
who are Vincentians, university students and church members. Together, they coordinate a range of activities at Mary McKillop
Outreach, including VETAB accredited educational courses.

Mark and his mentor use donated bicycles for the
parts to construct the homemade wheelchairs, in the
program deemed Little Aussie Wheelchairs.

By Julia Gilchrist

Mark enjoys working with the mentors who
volunteer at Mary McKillop Outreach. “I’m

Spurred into action after Caringbah Rotary spread
the word about third world children injured in
landmine accidents or losing the use of their legs
due to polio, one of Bob Nelson’s young male
clients at the Mary McKillop Outreach, Mark,
wanted to provide his carpentry and welding skills
to help.
Mark says, “I thought if a person has lost the use of

18 Autumn 2008

their legs, I can help them. I like taking things apart
and making them better, I wanted to do this instead
of just staying at home.”
Growing up in Sydney near Central, and born
completely blind, Mark was also born with a natural
talent in wood-working that was enhanced after
spending a few years repairing wooden nursing
home bed wheels.

A completed “Little
Aussie” wheelchair.
1000 of these
wheelchairs have
been assembled
through the program
run by Bob Nelson.

Mary McKillop Outreach, through its programs
and support of projects like Little Aussie Wheelchairs,
is able to work towards its long-term objective of
enabling its clients to gain substantive and satisfying
employment. Bob Nelson says, “Our clients, like
Mark, have just blossomed.”
Bob says the achievements of clients are a
testament to the quality of “the programs,” which
“demonstrate what people with a disability/mental
illness can do with a little help, working and learning
together.”
The Little Aussie Wheelchairs has just reached the
1000-wheelchair mark. More bikes are needed for
Mark to continue his good work.
Additionally, funding is urgently needed to purchase
the kits that provided all the additional parts
necessary to assemble the bikes. In addition, the
cost of packing the wheelchairs and the postage
required to get them to the children who need them,
is overwhelming.
To donate old bikes, or greatly needed funds, contact
Gary Greinke at Mary MacKillop Outreach on
(02) 9568 0247, or email him at
garyg@sydneyvinnies.org. v

The Events Team would like to thank the Hotels
Have Hearts Committee, comprised of some of
Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading hoteliers. The hard work of its
supporters has enabled the event to continually set
new fundraising records on each successive occasion
to support Matthew Talbot Homeless Services.
Additionally, it is our good fortune to have the
Charles Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Race Day Committee, driving
the event at Rosehill Racecourse. In conjunction
with motivated and dedicated supporters, Br. Dan
Stafford has been a tireless advocate for Matthew
Talbot Homeless Services and its people. His
determination, dedication and love for his work
continue to inspire.
Thank you to the Australian Stockbrokers
Foundation that for the last 14 years has generously
donated proceeds from its annual Award Night.
Network Ten has consistently enabled the Society
to achieve many of its fundraising goals in a manner
not possible without their all-round support. No
successful Vinnies event would be possible without
them.

Charles Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Book Launch
Captain Charles, Engineer of Charity will be launched
at The University of Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Hall on
Thursday 17 April 2008. The launch will
celebrate the life of Charles Gordon Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill the
founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW.

MAY

Matthew Talbot Homeless Services
Race Day at Rosehill
A firm favourite on the sporting calendar,
this newly re-named event, on Saturday 31 May,
is held in aid of the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeless services
across NSW.

JULY

World Youth Day 2008
A comprehensive program celebrating the biggest
youth gathering in the world, with our
holy father Pope Benedict in attendance.

OCTOBER

Magic Moments at the SCG
Supporting Matthew Talbot Homeless Services
Join sports personalities at this sports themed
event being held at the SCG.

From all of us here at the St Vincent de Paul Society,
we thank Brother John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill for his dedicated
service as State President of the Society in NSW/
ACT from 2003 to 2007. A board member between
1998 and 2003, Brother John had a clear vision for
the Society in the future.

Committee (VDAC), to facilitate the recruitment and
development of the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s active members and
volunteers throughout NSW and the ACT.

Thank you John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill
Brother John and his State Council had many
accomplishments during his term, most notably
the reorganising of the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial systems
including the introduction of a new accounting and
information system (GWIS), incorporating collective
banking.

Close to Brother Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart was the plight of
rural NSW and he encouraged the creation and
development of the Rural Task Force, to better
coordinate drought relief efforts across the State.
The Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sharpening of focus on homelessness
and metal health problems coincided with the
successful transfer of the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aged Care
facilities to Catholic Health Care.

With Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiation, the National Council adopted
a National Style Guide to redefine the use of the
Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo and branding to better manage how
the Society presents its public image.

Special thanks to Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, Imelda. The Society
greatly appreciates the love and unconditional
support of Imelda and the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill family in enabling
John fulfil his role as State President.

Other significant initiatives adopted by the
State Council during Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term included the
creation of the Volunteer Development Advisory

Finally, Brother Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership over the last five
years has been profoundly appreciated, and we
wish him the very best health and happiness for the
future. v

Vision

21

Youth Works
Time is flying and we are well and
truly approaching the phenomenon
of World Youth Day, which will take
place in July 2008.
NSW is committed to a holistic approach to
WYD08, so that it is not just an event, but an
opportunity for reflection and renewal across a
whole range of areas in Youth and in the Society.
A group of young people recently returned
from the Encounter India program (see page 6
for more details). With the WYD08 aim being
strengthening our relationships with our twins,
this mission was wholeheartedly embraced.
Young people from the Society in NSW are
getting involved with the plans for the Vincentian Family Gathering, which will take place in
Bathurst in the week proceeding WYD08.

Many youth and young adult conferences across
NSW are utilising the Foundations Program,
which is a preparation resource for the lead up
to WYD08.
Conferences and Councils across the state have
hosted fantastic fundraising initiatives to support some of our twins to attend WYD08. Update: we are thrilled to announce that we are
able to support over 50 Vinnies Youth members
from 18 countries to attend WYD and our Vinnies events!
Some Dioceses have already held WYD Retreats
for their youth and young adult members and
volunteers!
Many Dioceses have co-hosted some inspirational and moving events with the WYD Cross
and Icon as it traveled north through NSW into
QLD recently.

When planning the Cross and Icon’s journey
throughout Australia, the JCI, Journey of the
(WYD) Cross and Icon, organisers decided
that they wanted to bring the Cross and Icon to
communities in Central Australia. They decided
to bring together a group of young people to
accompany the seven-person JCI travelling
team on a Great Crossing Journey, to bring the
Cross and Icon from the Darwin Diocese to the
Port Pirie Diocese, via remote communities
in the Northern Territory and South Australia.
From the many applicants, fifty young people
were chosen to form this pilgrimage group and
participate in a truly unique adventure. 5 of
these young people were from Vinnies Youth
across Australia, including Jess Wood and Bec
Bromhead from NSW.
By Claire Victory, SA

world youth day journey of hope
There are a number of ways for young people in NSW to participate
in World Youth Day 2008:
The Whole Shebang

Pre-WYD Formation Retreat approximately 3
months before WYD
Travel with local Vinnies to Bathurst for the FamVin
Gathering, Bathurst 9-14th July 2008
WYD Week, Sydney 15-20 July 2008
Post-WYD Retreat 20-22 July 2008
WYD Reunion approximately 2-3 months later

Short and Sweet

Pre-WYD Formation Retreat approximately 3
months before WYD
Travel with local Vinnies to Sydney for WYD Week
in Sydney, 15-20 July 2008
Post-WYD Reunion and Retreat approximately 1
month later

22 Autumn 2008

Can’t get that much time off work?
Just come for the day for the:
Vinnies International Youth Gathering
Sydney, 16th July 2008

You can now register online!

Be sure to check out our WYD08 website to keep
up to date with all our Vinnies WYD plans and bug
your Youth Coordinator for more information!
www.vinnies.org.au/wyd/australia
www.vincentianswyd.org.au
www.wyd2008.org

The JCI organizers and youth represenatatives’ first
encounter with the WYD Cross and Icon was in
Darwin. Hundreds of people from the Mindil Beach
markets came down to the beach to eat their dinner
where they were confronted with the amazing sight
of the Cross and Icon standing on the beach against
a glorious setting sun. When the Darwin Diocese
handed over the Cross and Icon the following day,
it was a powerful moment as the people of Darwin
were genuinely sad to see the Cross and Icon
leave their community. It was a real privilege to be
entrusted with carrying these symbols across Central
Australia.
For the next 6 days we travelled through the heart
of Australia, visiting Katherine, Tenant Creek, Alice
Springs, Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), Uluru,
Coober Pedy and Woomera.
The amazing thing about being involved in the
Journey of the Cross and Icon is that you can be
celebrating with a crowd of hundreds of people,

sharing in the sense of peace and hope that
the Cross brings, while simultaneously having a
completely unique, private, personal response to the
Cross.
It is the same feeling you get at World Youth Day
itself; being able to turn to the complete stranger
next to you with tears in your eyes or a huge smile
on your face and not having to explain it, because
you both know that you’re sharing in this amazing
experience together.
When the group handed the Cross and Icon over to
the Port Pirie Diocese, we were all surprised at how
emotional we felt. The Journey had a bigger impact
on us than any of us had expected it to. We were
emotional partly because we were farewelling our
group and partly because we were leaving without
the symbols of hope that we had travelled through
the heart of Australia with, witnessing the impact
they had on the individuals and communities with
whom they came into contact. v

Vision

23

Ear to the Ground

condition” in his 2001 collection of essays, Step
Across This Line. Of all places, Rushdie draws
his inspiration from The Wizard of Oz; a film
that he claims “made a writer of him”. Discussing
the migrant status of the Wizard and Dorothy,
who both hail from Kansas, Rushdie recognises
distinctive types of migrant behaviour in both
characters.
“Dorothy and the Wizard have adopted opposite
strategies for survival in the new, strange land”,
Rushdie explains. “Dorothy”, he continues, “has
been unfailingly polite, careful, courteously small
and meek, whereas the Wizard has been fire and
smoke, bravado and bombast, and has hustled his
way to the top – floated there, so to speak, on a
current of his own hot air.” Neither approach is
entirely successful.

be

tween shifting de
stinies

By Dr Andy Marks, Society Researcher
Strangers come in many forms. For example, the
circumstances of people experiencing poverty,
mental illness or isolation, can make them a stranger.
Such circumstances can
exclude people from everyday
life, unfairly making them a
stranger to the people and
perhaps the lifestyle they
once felt familiar with. This
is particularly the case with
migrants and refugees.
Dr Andy Marks
Strangers are not created out
of thin air. Nobody typically chooses to be called
a stranger. They are identified as such purely as
a result of the attitudes of people around them;
attitudes that refuse to admit those we don’t know
or understand into everyday life and the familiar
parts of life we treasure and enjoy. Strangers are
created by attitudes that needlessly and perhaps
unwittingly perpetuate behaviours that exclude.

24 Autumn 2008

In discussing strangers, I am reminded of a
perspective offered by the Indian born writer
Madan Sarup, a man, who faced many challenges
as a newly arrived immigrant in the U.K. He went
on to build an internationally recognised career as
a highly esteemed academic and author. In spite of
his success, or perhaps because of his consciousness
of the circumstances of his own journey, he wrote
extensively on the experience of being a stranger.
“Strangers”, Sarup wrote, “often seem suspended in
the empty space between a tradition which they have
already left and the mode of life which stubbornly
denies them the right of entry.” Regardless of
whether it was intended to do so, this description
of “strangers” seems to capture the precarious
circumstances of many migrants and refugees.
Armed with the imaginative license of a writer,
Salman Rushdie – also a migrant – presents
additional insights into the stranger and the “migrant

As Rushdie observes, “Dorothy learns that
meekness isn’t enough.” She needs wisdom, heart
and courage to find home. “And the Wizard – as
his balloon gets the better of him for a second time
– realises that his command of hot air isn’t all it
should be.” Reflecting on these fictional dilemmas,
Rushdie draws some real life parallels, observing
that, “it’s hard for a migrant like myself not to see
in those shifting destinies a parable of the migrant
condition.” Does the community place these
contradictory demands on migrants and refugees?
In a word, yes.

the seemingly simple act of buying groceries in a
supermarket, Tony observes that many newly arrived
refugees have never experienced anything remotely
resembling a shopping mall, let alone the learned
ability to navigate their way through the massive
array of packaged and processed food. Tony reflects
that many refugees are also attempting to cope with
language difficulties, the trauma of displacement,
separation from family, and in some instances the
post-traumatic effects of torture and persecution.
Appearing on the ABC’s Enough Rope program,
Sudanese youth worker, Mujahid Ahmed spoke
about the “A to Z of challenges” faced by many
refugees in Australia. For refugees coming from
cultures that value a strict patriarchal hierarchy,
Australian cultural values concerning gender equality
can present problems. This is particularly so when,
Ahmed says, “the male of [a refugee] family is unable
to find employment but his wife ends up working.”
This type of situation, explains Ahmed, can leave
the male feeling “demoralised and incompetent,
causing an extra level of conflict within the family.”
It follows that many refugees feel paralysed by
conflicting personal expectations and the social
expectations of the Australian community.
These contradictory messages significantly inhibit
an individual’s ability to find a context for their own
story – their identity – within the broader cultural
narrative of Australia. Returning to Madan Sarup,

If migrants and refugees are to be able to forge their story as individuals and
as Australians, we must afford them the latitude and support to do so.
If they are to succeed, migrants and refugees are
expected to take bold and positive steps to integrate
into the community, yet their visibility, conversely,
makes them potential targets of abuse. We expect
boldness and meekness in the same breath.

he comments that “if you ask someone about their
identity, a story soon appears”. He explains the
significance of this personal “story”, adding that it is
a vital component in the many “processes by which
identity is constructed.”

Society member, Tony, comments how his work
in assisting migrants and refugees has given him
an inkling of the extraordinary demands placed
upon many people attempting to bridge the “inbetween space” between their former life and their
new life in Australia. For example, speaking about

If migrants and refugees are to be able to forge
their story as individuals and as Australians, we must
afford them the latitude and support to do so. With
patience, support and understanding, we can forge
a story as individuals and as a nation that reflects
Christ’s compassionate and liberating love. v

Vision

25

Charles O’Neill book launch

O’Neill was also somewhat of a visionary as an
engineer. In 1885, over 100 years prior to the
eventual construction of today’s Sydney Harbour
Tunnel, he tendered for the construction of a tunnel
under the harbour to North Sydney.
Importantly, O’Neill’s considerable professional
expertise was tempered by a giving nature and
compassionate heart. No doubt his experience
growing up on the river Clyde left a mark on his
psyche. Eviction, starvation, forced public labour
and the harsh environment of the poorhouses
prompted over a million Irish to flee the nightmare
of the potato famine. As a young man, O’Neill
would have seen the wretched human cargo arriving
from Ireland on foul cargo vessels, in which men,
women and children huddled together in filthy holds.
At the age of twenty-three, O’Neill’s selfless desire
to serve people in need prompted him to join the
St Vincent de Paul Society in Dumbarton, Scotland.

ENGINEERof charity
After years of meticulous research, the St Vincent
de Paul Society is proud to announce the launch of
Engineer of Charity, by Steve Utick, a chronicle of the
life of Charles Gordon O’Neill, founder of the first
NSW conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

His faith and steadfast commitment to the Society’s
‘good works’ saw him rise quickly through the ranks.
In 1863, he was elected President of the Superior
Council of Glasgow and was an esteemed member
of the Council General in Paris.

From its 176-year history, to its current international
reputation as a leading lay, Catholic, charitable,
organization, the Society is in many ways guided
by a strong consciousness of its past. The history
of the Society in Australia is an inspiring tale, one
that begins with the commitment and compassion
of one man, Charles
Gordon O’Neill.

In 1864, O’Neill’s yearning for new and greater
challenges led him to New Zealand. In addition
to his previously mentioned exploits as one of the
colony’s leading engineers, in Wellington, in 1876
he founded the first conference to be aggregated in
New Zealand.

Born in Glasgow in 1828, O’Neill trained as an
engineer at Glasgow University. His expertise in
this field would, later in life, see him take the lead in
major engineering projects throughout New Zealand
and Australia, including the Wellington to Wairarapa
railway route, the Wellington tramways, and the
Clyde River Bridge.

O’Neill’s considerable professional talents saw him
move to bustling Sydney Town in 1881. True to his
commitment to the Vincentian vocation, he founded
the first St Vincent de Paul Society conference in
NSW on 24 July of that same year at St Patrick’s
Church Hill, The Rocks.

Reminiscent of his early life in Glasgow, St Patrick’s,
at that time, overlooked the desperate vista of the
Quay, where the poor and destitute flooded into the
slums and rambling back alleys of The Rocks.
Reflective of his meticulous and innovative skills
as an engineer, O’Neill’s unwavering efforts in
visitation, conference support and lobbying
laid sound foundations for the Society’s growth
in Australia. By 1890, as a direct result of his
commitment, over twenty conferences had
been established throughout NSW. He was also
instrumental in establishing the Society’s first
‘Special Work’, St Aloysius Home for Boys in Surry
Hills.
By 1891, O’Neill’s solidarity with the poor and
marginalised saw him swept up in the economic
depression that hit the colony in the decade
following the gold rush. Like many businesses and
institutions of the time, the Northumberland Bank,
of which he was nominally a Director, collapsed.
He suffered financial ruin. Although cleared of any
impropriety by the courts, O’Neill’s commitment
to protecting the reputation of the Society and the
viability of its ‘good works’ prompted him to step
down from all Society offices.
O’Neill quietly endured the personal hardships
thrust upon him. Thanks to his tireless efforts and
unshakable resolve, the Society continued to grow.
His own sacrifices, borne through his selfless service
to the poor and destitute left him and his brother
John in poverty. However, despite his failing health,
O’Neill remained a committed Vincentian up until
his death in St Vincent’s Hospital in 1900. He was
buried in Rookwood cemetery.

“O’Neill quietly endured the personal hardships thrust upon him.”

26 Autumn 2008

In 1961, in accordance with his wish to be laid
amongst those he dearly loved, O‘Neill’s remains
were moved to the Society’s burial plot for the
destitute. His burial amidst those he served so well
befit his commitment in life. As a cutting attribute to
Saint Vincent de Paul, from O’Neill’s Society Manual
reads: “Those who love the poor in life shall have no
fear of death.” v

Society Events

On 17th April 2008, the St Vincent de Paul
Society will proudly launch the true yet
extraordinary saga of Society principal cofounder Charles Gordon O’Neill, a brilliant
young Irish-Scot engineer and architect - a
man torn between professional ambition and
desire to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ
to serve the destitute - a story lost for over one
hundred years.
Launching in the grand historic surroundings
of the Great Hall at the University of Sydney,
Engineer of Charity is an important part of
Australian history. It tells the story of the
man who brought to Australia in 1881 one of
the country’s largest lay Catholic charitable
organizations, the St Vincent de Paul Society.
The Society has grown from small yet
significant beginnings to become a dominant
charitable force with over 40,000 members and
volunteers assisting over 5000 people everyday
across Australia.
Celebrations will occur throughout the
week. A special mass will be held at St
Patrick’s Church in Church Hill on 16 April.
Additionally, there will be a pilgrimage on 16 and
19 April to visit significant places in the life of
Charles Gordon O’Neill on Wednesday 16 and
Saturday 19 April. For further enquires please
contact Mary Hadchiti on (02) 9568 0220 or
mary.hadchiti@vinnies.org.au
A key launch event will include a presentation,
Introducing Captain Charles, in the auditorium of
the Catholic Institute in Sydney by author
Steve Utick and key collaborator in the book
Vince Dever, on Sunday 27 April. The lecture
will run from 2:00-3:30 pm with a refreshment
break. The presentation will offer a special
insight into the story of Charles O’Neill,
capturing the highlights from the book in the
flesh, complete with rare digitally presented
photography, audience interaction and
question time. Books will be for sale at the
event.
All net royalties from the sale of the book
will support the St Vincent de Paul Society’s
homeless services.

Vision

27

Growing Works
National Volunteer Week

Volunteer Profile

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2008, May
12th - 18th, is ‘Volunteers Change our World.’
Historically, the week has focused on recruitment,
and provided a national focus for recruiting
volunteers and promoting the value of volunteering
in the community. In 2008, following extensive
research, the focus will change to celebrate and thank
volunteers. We have a great deal to celebrate with
our Society volunteers!
We encourage you to recognize the Society
volunteers in your local area and participate in any
programs in your local communities. If you have
a local Volunteer Centre you may wish to find out
what activities they have planned.
Tell us about how you recognize your volunteers. We
welcome photos and articles.
For more information and ideas about the week
visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org or contact Kate
Scholl to discuss on (02) 9560 8666. A limited
supply of posters and lapel pins have been ordered.
Please contact Kate if you would like some for your
volunteers.

Volunteer Statistics

“Volunteering with Vinnies has been fun and
fulfilling! My first day as a volunteer, I coordinated
the Charity Gift Wrapping at Broadway Shopping
Centre. Young Vinnies volunteers wrapped
Christmas Gifts for customers in turn for gold coin
donations – we raised over $450! I am now working
on a project with the Sydney Youth Team, pioneering
the use of a database system to make volunteering in
Vinnies far more effective. It’s a HUGE project but
one that will definitely be rewarding in the end.”
– Krystina Szafraniec, Volunteer for Sydney Archdiocese

Please share your stories and ideas of how volunteers
are being recruited, appreciated, and supported in
the many good works they are involved with. We
know there are many other stories out there. Let us
hear your ideas, news and views.

28 Autumn 2008

Volunteers encourage the
true Christmas spirit

It’s Time to Grow
recruitment workshop
now available
During this four hour program, participants will:
• Reflect upon the gift of being a Vincentian
• Explore issues impacting recruitment
• Gain ideas and resources to initiate recruitment
• Learn skills for encouraging new growth
• Draft a recruitment plan

Share with us!

In the first 7 months of the 2006-07 financial year,
The Broken Bay Diocese recorded 118,760 volunteer
hours (not including community service or work for
the dole) for Special Works and Centres. Conference
activity recorded 15,400 visits with 33,357 persons
assisted in that same time frame.

Children from St Martin de Porres, Natasha Robinson,
Paul Caronna, Lora Caronna, David Sgangarella and
Helena Bragge, with the hampers and gifts St Martin’s
students collected in order to bring to those in need.

By Carmel Smith, Davidson Conference
St Martin de Porres Primary School, situated in the
leafy northern suburb of Davidson in the Broken
Bay Diocese, has always responded generously to
the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society. This year
was no exception.
Davidson Conference is twinned, as a result of the
drought, with the pretty town of Coolah 388km
northwest of Sydney. It is described in the tourist
guide as the town of the original Black Stump.
Hampers and presents for 14 families from the
Coolah area were collected by the generous parents,
children and staff of St Martin’s. It took three cars
and a trailer (driven by two Conference members
and one of the school parents) to transport these
beautifully wrapped goodies to Coolah where they
were gratefully received by two local Conference
members, Frank and Kris.
Thank you St Martin’s school for your generous
giving in the true spirit of Christmas.

Dioceses that have so far scheduled the workshop
for 2008 include:
3 May Broken Bay (Central Coast Regions)
24th May Broken Bay (Sydney Area Regions)
The Diocesan Presidents in these dioceses welcome
members from other Dioceses that might wish
to attend. This initiative will be rolled out to each
Diocese throughout the year. Please contact Kate
Scholl for more information.

Vision for our volunteers
The vision of the Volunteer Development Advisory
Committee is to have valued, supported volunteers
engaged in the mission and good works of the St
Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
We are working towards this by promoting and
supporting practices that ensure volunteers and
members in the NSW St Vincent de Paul Society are:
•innovatively and actively recruited,
•warmly welcomed when they enquire,
•responsibly screened,
•suitably trained, spiritually enriched and supported
to fulfill their roles confidently and
•led by Society leaders who are appropriately
prepared for leadership positions.

Vision

29

Facilities

It’s about

A new home for Society State Office
After twenty years in the Mary Potter Wing,
Lewisham, the staff and members of the St Vincent
de Paul Society NSW State Council have out-grown
their present building.
In order to better serve Society members, volunteers,
and ultimately people in need the NSW State Council
voted to build a new purpose built State Office.
The new building has had to meet the stringent
requirements of being a budget office building in
the immediate and long term. That means adopting
best practice environmentally seeking to reduce the
need for mechanical ventilation, making best use of
natural light, and recycling rain water.
In the early planning the strip out and redevelopment
of the Central Services building (adjacent to the
Mary Potter Wing) was considered, however cost,
heritage values and limitations of the existing
structures discounted that option. The Central
Services building will be demolished and replaced
with a new four storey open plan office building with
flexible meeting and training facilities on the top
floor.

30 Autumn 2008

yours and mine

Marrickville Council has given building approval
for the Jackson Teece designed building. Builders
Paynter Dixon will complete the project under the
close scrutiny of Page Kirkland, the Society’s cost
and quantity surveyors.
The new building will accommodate the State
Council and Sydney Archdiocesan Council’s
administration and good works staff members. It
has been designed to meet the Society’s requirements
for the next 50 years and beyond and so will have
room to accommodate up to 120 people into the
future. The flexible open plan layout will encourage
improved communication and team collaboration
between departments.
Building work commenced in January with
preparations for demolition. The new State Office
is expected to be completed by July 2009. Regular
updates on the building progress will be reported in
Vision. v

Designed by www.marketingeye.com.au

Preliminary Perspective of the new NSW State Office.

0ZA001/0706

Fulfilment

Pictured above, Andrew, an employee of Ozanam Industries for 24 years.

Ozanam Industries, a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, employs over 100 Australians with
a disability in a supervised and supportive work environment.
With over 35 years experience in mail fulﬁllment, general packaging and distribution, we provide a comprehensive range of services
to some of the nation’s most respected brands.
We also manufacture Communion (Altar) Bread in our Bakehouse at Stanmore, supplying Parishes and Religious shops throughout
Australia. If you are aware of a Parish not currently purchasing their Communion Bread from us, we would love to talk with them
and be able to submit a quotation.

Join us for a spiritual pilgrimage to visit significant places in the life of
Charles Gordon O’Neill, including St Patrick’s Church, Church Hill, The Rocks,
Balmain and Charles’ final resting place in Rookwood Cemetery.

Wednesday 16 April 2008, 7 pm:

Celebrate the life and work of Charles Gordon O’Neill with us at a special
Mass, St Patrick’s Church, Church Hill.

Wednesday 17 April 2008, 7 pm:

Charles O’Neill Book Launch Cocktail Party, Invitation Only
The University of Sydney, Great Hall

Sunday 27 April 2008, 2 pm:

Introducing Captain Charles, a presentation by author Steve Utick
Catholic Institute of Sydney
For inquiries please contact Mary Hadchiti on (02) 9568 0220
The book, Captain Charles: Engineer of Charity, written by Stephen Utick, is available from Friday
18th April 2008. A special price has been arranged for Society members - $29.99.